Moon Now Oversees CWU Facilities Management and Operations

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Mike Moon began his responsibilities this week as Central Washington University’s new director of Facilities Management and Operations. He came to Ellensburg after serving for more than three years as associate director and interim director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance at Boise State University, where he oversaw upkeep of more than 100 academic and associated buildings.

“This was an opportunity to lead an organization in a place where I wanted to be,” Moon explains as why he applied for the CWU post. “I have family in Seattle and friends throughout Washington. So I now get to do the things I want to do, both professionally and personally.”

At CWU, Moon leads more than 150 employees—a staff he referred to as “good people, most of them have been here a long time.” They represent a wide variety of areas, from electricians and custodians, to motor pool and locksmith services, responsible for maintaining and operating 94 buildings across the university’s 380-acre Ellensburg campus.

“I like the feel of the campus—it’s pastoral,” Moon adds. “It’s my idea of a college campus. It’s not an urban, concrete jungle. There’s a mix of historic buildings and very new ones, which provide some opportunities and challenges.”

Moon lists integration of new technologies into CWU facilities as among the challenges, including how to “most efficiently and effectively operate the technology for our students.”

As that is the case, Moon will be involved in planning for the materials, finishes, and systems of CWU’s new Science Phase II, scheduled to open in January 2015. Bill Yarwood, CWU director of Facilities Planning and Construction, points out, “Mike’s crews are the ones that will maintain and operate the building, so we want to make sure we get what we really want, and what can be cleaned, maintained, and operated.”

Moon’s extensive experience includes more than 10 years as the City of Seattle’s technical facilities manager at the Seattle Center, where he led 10 workgroups overseeing facilities, such as the Center House, Opera House, and Repertory Theatre. He also served as the lead labor contracts negotiator. Moon was also the center’s operations crew chief.

In addition, Moon was in charge of Facilities Operations and Construction for the Lapwai (Idaho) School District, including the renovation of a 75-year-old building for use by K-12 students; and the City of Lewiston’s Parks and Recreation manager, where he directed an award winning Urban Forestry program.

A native of Nampa, Idaho, Moon graduated from Washington State University in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation. He was hired, following a nationwide search, to replace Bob Tosch, who retired earlier this year.

A collegiate umpire by avocation, Moon notes he has officiated a number of CWU baseball games.